The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-21
a TERRIBLE FIGHT.
Eight Lions and Their Trainer Battling In a
Cage-One Lion Killed.

Cage-One Lion Killed.
London Gable Special TO New York Sun.
Early this morning there was a fearful and
exciting battle in the Jubilee Exhibition at Liv-
erpool. Delmonico the most plucky tanner of
beasts, has been exciting the nerves Of the visi
tors for long time by trif1lng in cage with
three big forest lions Five more lions, of
different kind hut very big also, arrived from
Africa yesterday. and were put at once into the
big cage with the three already at home there.
They had no training but Delmonico went in
among them and thrilled the crowd that filed
the menagere by an unusually sensational per-
formance.
When he had done Mile Kora, his partner,
went in with the lions and took the little dog.
This was repeated four timee during the day.
and the five new lions were too much stunned
by the huge. noisy crowd about them and the
repeated visits Of the lady. gentleman and dog
to think of ANYTHING else. Their astonishment
had not worn off, and they were still quiet when
left alone for the night by the attendants at 10
o'clock.
Shortly after midnight, however. the menag-
erie filled with a frightful roaring and
snarng, and servant sleeping on the premises
rushed in to find the big iron cage rocking. and
the eli sht lions fighting furiously. rolled up into
huge ball from which the blood-stained fur was
flying in all directions. The huge beasts rolled
over and over, dashng madv against the sides
of the cage, and biting pieces on, of each other
with a ferocity that was sickening. All the
sights organized to crafty mans fon dness for
fighting would have seemed the tamest child's
play in comparison.
After awhile it became evident that there were
two distinct sides in the battle aud the new
rivals were ptted as unfair odds against the
lions who had been in possession. The efforts of
the servant to separate them only increased
their fury, and at last he rushed off for Delmon-
100, who was asleep near by in Edge lane The
tanner arrived haf-clad and found his lions
bleeding fearfuly but still fighting.
The battle was narrowing down to a duel be-
tweeL of the biggest lions. which were rap
idly biting each other to pieces in the middle Of
the cage Occasionally the battle became gen
eral and for few seconds there would
xvi,d if,Yr,h la nf
cruuchlng of teeth to tell how the flesh was be-
ing torn. The appearance of Delmonico with
red-not iron produced an effect. and all but the
two chief combatants stopped fighting and
crouched sullenly down, licking their bloody
wounds and snarling encouragement to the two
leaders
On these in their rage hot iron useless,
even when applied to raw flesh. Tho lions
sponded to the burning sensation only by tear
ing away at each other more tiercely.
At last Delmonico, fearing he would lose his
two greatest actors, took resolution which
would probably not have occurred to any other
man if the existence of the entire animal crea-
ton had been Threatened. He entered the cage,
haf-cad be was. and shut himself in. He
next opened a door communicating with
ond cage, and drove into il like SO many sheep
the six lions that had been looking on.
MeaE while the other lions were still fighting,
although much weaker. Dslmonico's attempts
to separate them was useless. They paid not
the slightest attention to him. and although in
their struggles they dashed against him; they
were evidently unconscious of his presence
separate them the fight ended of itself. The
big forest lion, who had been defending his
home against the five strangers rolled over
his back, growled family. and died the other
seized him again by the throat. One of the
front legs was gnawed off completely, a hind leg
chewed to a pulp. all of the main and most
of the neck were bitten away and the body was
covered with blood. as the entire cage.
There was not the dead lion any unbitten
whole piece of skin large enough to bave made
a glove He had fought for his rights just
long he had been able to work his teeth and
claws.
The victor seemed first inclined to dash at he
tanner and al the lions in the neigh boring cage,
but he changed his mind and under Delmonicos
eye, and after weak but triumphant rear over
the body of his victim he retired into a corner
apd moaned over his wounds. Although con-
oneror. he not 10 be envied HIS name was
gone and his body looked as though esq ecially
wicked harrow had been repeatedly dragged
over il. Blood trickled from hundred ugly
wounds, aud there is little hope that he will
live. Curiously enough not one of the lions had
his tail bitten off in the fray, which seems to
indicate that some code of honor exists among
lions which prevents them from making each
other ridiculous. even in the deadliest combat.
The other six lions will live, pur they were SO
badly bitten that only two could be patched up